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Archive for the ‘pets’ Category

The Pet Emergency Warning System

Animals can be great predictors, but too often, we fail to understand what they’re trying to tell us. Many times I’ve wished I could understand my pets more clearly. I might realize they’re warning me of something, but have no clue what it might be. The only exception was during the aftershock period following the Northridge Earthquake.

The Lynx Point Siamese cat I had at the time would start freaking out a good 2 to 4 hours before one of the larger aftershocks. But since my daughter and I would get queasy about the same time, it was easy to read what Missy was trying to tell us.

Behavior Changes Mean Something

Lately, my clowder have eschewed their usual practice of napping on beds or couches between mid-morning and late afternoon before looking for attention. Instead, Dylan and at least one of the other boys are on my desk the entire day, leaving only when I move to another room, and then, only to follow me. Even my former foster, Tiana who won’t even let me pet her yet is following me, but keeping a safe distance.

I could attribute their behavior to changes in my schedule which put my out of the house more often, but I like to think I’m pretty good at recognizing changes in cat behavior for what it is. I don’t think I’d be as curious if it was only Dylan, and maybe Munchkin who felt the need to keep me in sight whenever I’m home, but it’s pretty much everyone.

You may have noticed Scrappy Doo on the end of my desk for at least part of every Facebook Live (once, he fell off the desk in the middle and was quickly replaced by Dylan). He never used to care, and only came around when he wanted to sit in my lap while I played a game which didn’t require the keyboard. I’ve woken the last few mornings with him right beside me too. He typically prefers the foot of the bed.

If It Was Only Mine, I’d Believe They Miss Me

I asked my daughter if her dog and cats were being especially clingy, and it turns out, hers are behaving similarly to mine. Yes, she is gone a lot these days with all her activities, but even her two skittish ones like to be in the same room with her more than before.

Cats have been used to predict earthquakes for a number of years now, and quite successfully. Heaven knows we’re overdue for another big shaker somewhere in California, though frankly, it could be anywhere. And it’s possible some of the monsoon weather they get in Arizona this time of year could be starting to charge our own air. Cats definitely react to an increased ozone level if only because they can smell it (I’ll smell it myself, though not as early as they do, for obvious reasons. Yet, I’ve gotten a weird look or two when I’ve announced an impending storm on a day when the skies are a clear, cloudless blue).

Elemental Awareness in Animals

Everyone has an affinity for at least one element, whether they realize it or not. My daughter is very connected to Earth, but has more than a little Fire in her as well. I tend to connect to Fire and Water, though I’ve been known to key into Earth changes too. I believe the same is true of animals, though most, if not all are sensitive to Earth.

Which brings up another question: if we’re sensitive to Earth, does that mean only our planet, or can we, if the change is powerful enough to cross the miles, pick up changes on other planets as well? And if we’re able to, can animals with their more sensitive natures be picking up signals from Mars or Jupiter, maybe even Pluto?

Of course, by the time this post publishes, since I’m writing and scheduling things ahead of time these days, I may have had to revise it to encompass whatever change the cats and other animals have been trying to tell us was coming. Now more than ever, I wish I was an animal communicator and could understand what my cats are trying so hard to tell me with body language, unusual meows, and their insistence on being close to me at all times.

Blind to the Obvious Signs

I feel like, without the ability to understand more than my animals’ basic needs, I’m stumbling around half blind. It’s like looking at a picture in which all the details are blurred.

Even the little things are starting to make me ask questions. Dylan typically sits on the end of my desk while I write my morning pages, purring or snoring softly, but letting me have the 30 minutes or so it takes to write my 3 pages undisturbed. Lately, he’ll do things like walk across the page, or rub his cheek on my pen, or waft his tail across the page so I can’t write. He’s also pushed my mouse off the desk repeatedly, when ordinarily it’s an infrequent pastime. His bids for attention these days are as far from subtle as they can be.

When a child demands our attention more frequently than normal, we start asking questions, feeling their forehead, or otherwise trying to figure out why they’re suddenly so needy. I think we need to give the same attention to our fur children when they make it clear they want more of our attention, but especially when it isn’t just one, but all of them.

Whether it’s About the Weather

Thunderstorms, earthquakes, fires, floods: animals know. I’m convinced it’s true, but there are only a few areas where there’s definitive proof. Yet when there’s a forest fire, animals panic. They may run into it, but their goal is to get away. The smell of burning wood is not normal in their world so they react. The same with thunderstorms. The scent in the air is something they’ve learned either through their own experience or from their parents means they could be in danger. Their natural instincts and the lessons they’ve learned lead them to seek shelter.

In the case of house pets, shelter or escape means seeking out their caregivers as we are the ones who are charged with keeping them safe, warm, and dry. When my own start seeking me out more frequently, I have to believe it’s because they know something is coming from which they’ll need protection, comfort, or shelter, or perhaps all of the above. In such cases, I may not understand what they’re trying to tell me, but my spidey senses go on high alert until the danger arrives or the animals return to normal. How about you?

Grateful For All My Little Blessings

My gratitudes today are:

I am grateful for the animals who have come into my care. The care and protection I give them is returned a thousand-fold in the love, affection, and de-stressing they give me.

I am grateful for the little bit I’ve learned about animal behavior. I may not understand the words, but the melody is clear.

I am grateful for friendships with animal people who don’t think I’m a complete nut case for looking for patterns in our animals’ behavior.

I am grateful for waking up in the morning to purrs and cuddles after falling asleep to them too. My cats end up in my dreams a lot because there are always at least a couple of them by my side. (another perk of working from home)

About the Author

Sheri Conaway is a writer, blogger, Virtual Assistant and advocate for cats. Sheri believes in the Laws of Attraction, but only if you are a participant rather than just an observer. She specializes in creating content that helps entrepreneurs touch the souls of their readers and clients so they can increase their impact and their income. If you’d like to have her write for you, please visit her Hire Me page for more information. You can also find her on Facebook Sheri Levenstein-Conaway Author

Being Our Very Best Selves for Our Pet’s Sake

I’ve had a lot of time to think this week. I’ve spent several hours at the vet. I’ve waited a few days for lab results. I’ve wallowed in self-pity over possibly losing another cat way too young.

When all is said and done, things don’t look as bleak as they could, but then, the results are also inconclusive. The worst didn’t show up, but the vet tells me that doesn’t mean it’s not there.

Meanwhile, as I wallowed and cried and moaned, Toby got sadder and lost his will to purr. Only when I kicked myself in the butt and ordered an end to the wallowing did he come out of the closet, climb into my lap and share that purr I’d thought I’d lost for good for nearly an hour. He’s back to climbing on me when I go to bed, and again when I wake in the middle of the night. He no longer feels the need to spend the entire day hiding in the closet, and is instead, hanging out in whichever room I’m in. He’s letting me know when he’s hungry, and consuming 2-3 jars of baby food a day.

I learned some really important lessons over the last week.

Our Mood Affects Theirs

I learned that no matter how lousy our pets might feel, they make our mood a priority. It’s all well and fine to tell ourselves to think about a positive outcome, but unless we actually act like we believe it, our pet will suffer with us. Since we want them to keep their strength up to fight off whatever ails them, we’re not doing them any favors.

Put Their Needs First

The idea of losing a cherished pet is devastating. But going to extremes to keep them alive a little longer has to be done for the right reasons. Our unhappiness is not the right reason. If those extremes can save both their life and their quality of life, it’s worth considering. If they’ll only result in a few more months or even years of pain and discomfort, think really hard. Would you want someone to put you through a long run of pain and life as an invalid simply because they couldn’t handle losing you? Probably not.

Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute to Express Your Love

Do you give your pet attention every day? Do you remind them by word and deed how important they are to you? This might be as simple as cuddles in the morning and before bed, a clean litter box, fresh water and treats now and then. When they give you that look of love and trust, do you acknowledge it? Do you show them your gratitude? Do they know you love them just as wholeheartedly? In my house, we have a regular bed time ritual. Each cat has their own special part in this ritual (although Mulan, the Siamese thinks she has to be part of everyone’s ritual. Such is the belief of the born Princess). Toby’s part has always been to climb on top of me and purr for a few minutes after the girls have had their pets. Other members of the pack take turns guarding my head or just curling up in various places on the bed. And I miss each one if for some reason they fail to make their usual appearance.

Be Sensitive to Their Moods

Animals, and especially cats can’t tell you when something hurts or their tummy is upset. Aside from vomiting, they have no way to communicate with us unless we’re one of the fortunate few who can communicate with animals. I have wished I was on many occasions, if only to spare one of my own the pain they couldn’t express. But they do show us in subtle ways; changes in behavior, disinterest in food, lethargy, hiding. If we’re paying attention to them every day, we have a better chance of noticing when they’re a little off.

Know When Letting Go is What’s Best for Them

Giving up on someone we love is never easy. Whether it’s a child who insists on going down their own destructive path, or a pet whose quality of life is gone forever. It’s just not in our nature to give up on them. I’ve been guilty of dragging things on for too long because I didn’t want an animal to have such a short life. But the truth is, if they could have talked, they’d have told me to please let them go and be out of pain. Going to extremes to keep them alive isn’t doing them any favors, nor is it really helping us. It merely prolongs a decision which will eventually have to be made one way or another.

A few years ago, I had a cat named Loki who developed kidney issues at a fairly young age. We almost lost her on more than one occasion because of it. Eventually, we were giving her sub-cutaneous fluids twice a day, and the doctor had just prescribed an injectable medication that cost over $200 for a couple of doses. The last straw was the vet who suggested a kidney transplant which would have cost a “mere” $50,000 and came with no guarantees. Still, I persisted until the day Loki was in really bad shape. I ran her to the vet, still not ready to give up on her. I held her in my arms, crying and trying to make the best decision for her. Suddenly, she began to convulse. That was her way of telling me it was OK to stop trying so hard to keep her alive. She was done and was telling me so in no uncertain terms. I still question whether I did her any favors keeping her going that long. In all honesty, I kept her going more for my own sake than hers, and that’s a pretty lousy reason. She still lives on in my memories, but she is no longer in pain.

What I learned from the experience is that in a lot of cases, especially chronic illness, more is not necessarily better. When the cat is barely eating and is down to skin and bones, it’s time to consider what’s best for them and put our own feelings aside.

Short Lives Filled With Love

Most of our pets have much shorter lifetimes than humans. We have to accept that whenever we adopt. There have been a lot of beloved cats in my life and losing each and every one took a piece of my heart. Most of those cats shared a deep, abiding love with me that’s hard to find in humans. They don’t care what I look like in the morning or if I don’t shower or dress up nice. They simply want my company, some cuddles and pets, regular feedings, clean litterboxes, and fresh water. Their needs and their expectations are simple. What they give back is immeasurable. That kind of unconditional love deserves no less in return. I know I must not only ensure they live with dignity, but die that way as well. It’s the least I can do for their lifetime of devotion.

Gratitude Reminds Us

My gratitudes today are:

I am grateful for the unconditional love of my animals.

I am grateful for continued improvement in Toby’s health, energy, and appetite.

I am grateful for supportive friends who understand the love and devotion I give my animals.

I am grateful for the ability to spend as much time as necessary with a sick pet.

Sheri Conaway is a writer, blogger, Virtual Assistant and advocate for cats. She believes in the Laws of Attraction, but only if you are a participant rather than just an observer. She is available for article writing and ghost writing to help your website and the business it supports grow and thrive. If you’d like to have her write for you, please visit her Hire Me page for more information.

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Have you ever wondered just how tuned in our pets really are to our moods and the energy we throw off? I know I have! I’ve spent a lot of time watching and marveling at how attuned they are to me, how compassionate they are when I just need someone close to tell me in their own quiet way that whatever it is will be ok.

They share the bed with us when we’re sick. They push their noses into our hands when we cry. But what about the times when we’re just doing something at one extreme of energy or another; take, for example, meditating.

It wasn’t until recently when I added two hyperactive kittens to my household that the answer became clear. I had been noticing that when I sat down to do my daily meditation, the kittens would be doing their usual kitty 500 with obstacles (like vertical blinds, for example) at the beginning of my meditation. Since I was able to get into a meditative state anyway, I’d been chalking it up to my ability to tune them out. I couldn’t have been more wrong. I finally realized that the truth was, as I sank into that meditative, calm, relaxed state, the kittens calmed down too! By the time I left that state, they were either sleeping beside me or on my lap, completely limp!

There’s also a certain amount of give and take which occurs. For example, if I’m especially restless and having trouble calming my mind, invariably, at least one will be nearby, purring loudly until the calmness sets in. When I seal my field before I begin, everyone becomes part of my protected space. The most extraordinary times are when I’m doing a self-healing.

Headaches seem to be the hardest to self-heal for me. I think it has something to do with focusing too hard while I’m trying to relax. Opposites, in this case, do not attract! While Dylan will be purring softly behind my head, Munchkin and Scrappy Doo fight for pride of place on my lap. Today, however, as I was doing some self-healing and even pulling information from past lives, Scrappy planted himself on my chest and purred as if his life depended on it! Needless to say, the session was highly successful and I released a lot of tension from my neck and shoulders.

The single most amazing experience with feline energy boosting, though, was when I had a miserably painful migraine. Nothing I did was relieving the pain until Toby put his paws on my chest and just licked my temple where the pain was centered. In the very next instant, the migraine was completely gone!

The classes I’ve taken and the books I’ve read didn’t come close to the reality of how we and our animals can impact the energy fields of others. Only two things are really needed, in my experience. There must be a desire to be healed on the part of the recipient (which can, of course, be yourself) and there must be a focused energy which passes between the parties. This is not a case where you can give it half of your attention. No, you must truly believe that what you are healing is already healed! Only then will energies combine and make it so.

I spent the better part of what would have been my father’s 85th birthday, but was, instead, a little over 13 years after he passed, doing genealogy research with the help of a friend who is simply brilliant when it comes to tracking down obscure facts and connections. It got pretty exciting as we found family ties which had seemed to elude us. I was able to add an extra layer to both sides of my family in the process. Though I still have holes I would really like to fill, I will wait to see if some reaching out I’ve done yields more information. One of the sites my friend led me to was a 40 year effort by a man to trace a family back to Turkey. In that compilation, I found my maternal grandmother and her family, my parents, my cousins and even my daughters! I was awestruck by the connections this man had compiled through many years of research, and contributions from many of those family members. I believe the number is well over 6,000 and he cross-referenced everyone. You could search by your own last name or your spouse, and do the same for every member of the family who was part of this line!

After spending just a day working at this project, I have a huge amount of respect for the people who do it regularly. It can be tedious and frustrating with a plethora of wrong turns and dead ends, but it’s also very rewarding when you can fill in several levels. Though this isn’t something I would have thought I’d find interesting, the prospect of finding the connection between my family and one with the same surname is very enticing. It is even moreso because of a man who contacted me after my grandfather’s death, claiming he was his brother. I had no reason to question it at the time, and, as it happens, he was the grandfather of the woman I just connected with, but everything I’ve found so far supports the fact that my grandfather was an only child! This man had a brother and several sisters. So what is the real connection? Did the families merge as a result of emigration? Did they share a home for awhile until everyone got on their feet? And if so, who sponsored who? I’m eager to see how this mystery unfolds!

I’m reeling myself in before going off on another tangent. It’s after midnight and my brain is rushing at warp speed in many directions, much like the squirrels who played tag in my tree today, beneath a canopy of wildly flying crows. I leave you, dear readers, with tonight’s gratitudes:
1. I am grateful for mysteries to solve, a brain to be challenged and a friend who can guide me while getting as excited as I am about the chase.
2. I am grateful for everything I learned today, as well as for the questions I turned up in the learning.
3. I am grateful for opportunities to challenge and train my brain in new directions. It can only help my writing.
4. I am grateful for story ideas which are jumping like beans in boiling water. They may not all land, but they sure give me food for thought.
5. I am grateful for abundance: ideas, friendship, challenges, mysteries, dreams, hopes, love, kindness, happiness, health, harmony, peace and prosperity.